House of Commons Hansard #135 of the 35th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was income.
Guy Arseneault Liberal Restigouche—Chaleur, NB
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the minister responsible for international financial institutions.
Our government has decided that the way to deal with the problem of the debt and the deficit is to put the economy back on track by stimulating job creation and economic growth.
Could the minister inform the House about the present state of the Canadian economy and tell this House whether the strategy to stimulate employment and growth has been successful?
[English]
Doug Peters LiberalSecretary of State (International Financial Institutions)
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to confirm to this House and to the hon. member the government's commitment to its deficit reduction program on two fronts, the reduction of spending and the growth in the economy.
Since the beginning of the year the economy has forged ahead at a 5 per cent annual rate. It is the best performance in more than six years. During the third quarter real exports were up more than 5.6 per cent, a record level. A tremendous export performance has led to the highest merchandise trade surplus in six years.
Corporate profits are up for the eighth consecutive quarter to levels that will bring more business advancement and more jobs for Canadians.
Michel Guimond Bloc Beauport—Montmorency—Orléans, QC
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Transport.
The government's net spending on Crown corporations in the transportation sector will total $528 million this year. Other major cuts planned for the next few years will almost exclusively affect VIA Rail, which serves all Canadians.
What explanation does the minister have for the fact that Marine Atlantic, which will cost $131 million this year and operates only in the Maritimes, will hardly be affected and that most of the cuts will be borne by VIA Rail?
Douglas Young LiberalMinister of Transport
Mr. Speaker, I can inform the hon. member that, in the case of VIA Rail, these cuts are public knowledge and that we are to review VIA's role. I may add that this year, the government has not received a single request from VIA to cut services.
As for Marine Atlantic, during a meeting I had with the president this morning, I advised him that he would have to take a very close look at all the operations of this Crown corporation, since we intend to put the activities of Marine Atlantic on a strictly commercial footing, as we are doing in the case of all sectors for which I am responsible at Transport Canada.
Keith Martin Reform Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Royal Roads Military College is a superb educational facility with a long history on Vancouver Island. Sadly it is falling apart. Much of the faculty and staff have already received their termination notices and the civilian employees are going to close it down in order to get an expeditious move on the decision.
I would like the minister to please tell us exactly what the stumbling blocks are to an agreement and what steps the minister is prepared to organize to make sure there is a speedy resolution to this ongoing problem.
Marcel Massé LiberalPresident of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
Mr. Speaker, we have been concerned with the fate of the Royal Roads College. We have continued the discussions in the last weeks and months.
Last Friday I was in communication with the minister of finance of British Columbia, Ms. Elizabeth Cull, who is in charge of the negotiations. We then faxed to her a new proposal. We received a counterproposal this week. We are now in the midst of negotiations. I would expect that in the course of the next few weeks the negotiations would be finished.
Beryl Gaffney Liberal Nepean, ON
Mr. Speaker, during question period when a very serious question was being put to the Minister of Justice on violence against women and the type of violence that women are suffering, mainly at the hands of-
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Kilger)
I ask the member to give me a moment. The hon. Speaker, who was in the chair during question period, will return.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
I apologize to the hon. member. Would she please put her point.
Beryl Gaffney Liberal Nepean, ON
Mr. Speaker, during question period a very serious question was being put to the Minister of Justice with regard to violence against women and particularly about the number of women who die violently at the hands of their partners. This question is something that most members of this House take very seriously.
A member opposite from the Reform Party shouted out in the middle of the question "give them .32s". That is a very serious violation-
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
The hon. member raises a serious point. I did not hear the statement and therefore I will check the "blues" and at that time, if it is necessary, I will return to the House.
The hon. member for Carleton-Gloucester on a point of order.
Eugène Bellemare Liberal Carleton—Gloucester, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak to the point of order raised by the hon. member for Nepean.
I was a witness. I heard the hon. member for Okanagan-Shuswap say that if women wanted to defend themselves, they could use a .32 handgun.
Darrel Stinson Reform Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Mr. Speaker, I do not know if it is parliamentary language here to say that that is a lie, but I certainly did not say that-
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
Order. I gave the floor to the hon. member for Okanagan-Shuswap.
Before we go any further, I would ask the hon. member to withdraw the word lie. Then I am going to give the floor to the hon. member again.
Darrel Stinson Reform Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Mr. Speaker, I withdraw that. But what has just been said in the House is a total mistruth. I never said that. I would like to have the record rectified on this.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
Order. Evidently we have either a misunderstanding or possibly someone misheard. We have hon. members on one side raising a point of order and we have an hon. member from the other side saying that he who was singled out did not say that.
As your Speaker, I am bound to take the word of hon. members in this House. In the face of an allegation which was totally denied by another member, I am forced to take the word of the hon. member, and I do. I consider this matter closed.
Jim Silye Reform Calgary Centre, AB
Mr. Speaker, a point of order.
Points Of OrderOral Question Period
The Speaker
Order. Is this on the same point of order?
Jim Silye Reform Calgary Centre, AB
Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Michel Gauthier Bloc Roberval, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like the Government House Leader to tell us what the order of business will be for next week.
Herb Gray LiberalLeader of the Government in the House of Commons and Solicitor General of Canada
Mr. Speaker, I wish to respond to the question of the House leader for the official opposition and provide to him and to other members of the House the weekly statement of government business.
This afternoon and tomorrow the House will debate second reading of Bill C-59, the income tax amendments. On Monday the House will commence with report stage of the grain bill, Bill C-51. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we will consider that bill followed by the environment bill, Bill C-56 and the Department of Public Works and Government Services bill, Bill C-52. On Wednesday we will begin with third reading of Bill C-46 and if it is completed, revert to other unfinished business.
Thursday, December 8 will be the last allotted day for the present supply period and the government will be seeking approval of supplementary estimates at the end of government business on that day.
That is my statement.
Fernand Robichaud Liberalfor the Minister of Finance
moved that Bill C-59, an act to amend the Income Tax Act and the income tax application rules, be read the second time and referred to a committee.
